New grandma

We booked a BF category on the Jan 11 sailing of the Crown. About ten days before we left, we got our stateroom. It was a B2 on Caribe deck. We were happy.

We just got off the seven day southern Caribbean on the Crown. We booked the week on the first day. Cost $240 for the two of us.

We just got off the Crown on Saturday. The gym opened at 0700 but the treadmills couldn't be used until 0900. Bad design of the ship. Rooms below, so they try to minimize the noise.

The pool in the front of the ship near the spa and sanctuary is about 4' in the middle.

[quote name='sns1']Which Marriott did you go to?

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Forums mobile app[/QUOTE]

It was the Marriott Resort on Palm Beach. A $14 cab fare from the ship.

We are at FLL. We did express walk off. They started disembarkation at 0730 and we were off and through customs before 0800. There were seven ships in port, so I think the later the disembark, the longer the customs lines. We took All Star Transfers to the airport. Flying American Airlines. The security lines are very short. We had TSA Precheck and were through in no time.
Already missing the Crown. Can't wait to sail again soon.

I thought I should clarify one thing. The announcement we heard from the captain took around 15 or 20 min. after the false alarm. He actually came on earlier but the communication system that caused the problem in the first place didn't work. So he used the backup system.

One other thing I should mention, as you can imagine, it was the talk of the ship for the next couple days. We met two people that slept through the announcement and one person that started getting dressed. Everyone else said they recognized it as the embarkation muster announcement and knew it had to be a mistake.

Could this have startled some people? Sure. Unless you were here, you really can't comment on what you would have done. Everyone reacts differently.

I think the majority of the passengers recognize it for what it is and are not worried about Princess being unsafe.

We had dinner at the Crown Grill last night. The lobster was good. The molten chocolate cake with vanilla ice cream was great according to my husband. At Cafe Caribe this afternoon they had a pastry buffet. The pistachio cake was very good.
Our last at sea day is very cold, overcast and windy.
We had a great time and don't want it to end. Those of you getting on tomorrow, you will have a terrific time.

We are on the Crown. Went to the Internet cafe to print the passes. As you can image it is crowded and slow. Took eight minutes to print the passes. Sign says they charge $.50/sheet.

[quote name='Twinsfan5']Thanks for your live updates! I will be on the crown in a few weeks for the first time. We are planning to spend the day at the Marriott on Aruba...can you tell me anything about the facilities? Nice place to relax and spend the day? Thanks![/QUOTE]

The Marriott was fabulous. They gave us a palapa and chairs and towels. The beach is very nice. Many things to rent or you can snorkel. They have a great pool area also. It was one of our favorite days. You will enjoy.

We are currently on the Crown in Caribe 254 and the balcony is larger. But the people above can see down. Although if your chair is near the doors, you cannot be seen.

Lisa and Toby are the cruise directors. I thought I heard Toby was going home but can't be certain. Alex is the DJ.

I am on the Crown. Yes we were startled with the blast from the speaker in the room. But we immediately knew it was a false alarm. First, there were no emergency signals. Second, it was a recorded voice starting with "welcome aboard". No emergency would be recorded and worded that way.

The captain and crew did not respond immediately because it did not go off in their cabins. When the captain was advised, he made an announcement, but the communication system was messed up. Hence the false alarm in the first place.

The captain has explained everything and apologized twice. We forgive him.

Btw, another crew member said it happened last week but at 8:00 pm. They do need to get it fixed.

I understand this could be alarming to some. And if they choose to stop sailing Princess, that is their prerogative. For us, it was a badly timed mistake and that's all. Everything else is wonderful. We will keep sailing Princess.

Yes it was called What a swell party and the setting was a mansion and they were the staff. Can't remember the singers names. My bad. Will check on it.

No the crew ever heard the announcement. Only the passenger staterooms.

Yes it is Captain Yeomans. He was not a happy camper.

Got a wake up call at 0200. The computer blasted the captains welcome and muster information to the staterooms. About 15 min later, the embarrassed captain came on to apologize. We knew it was a glitch but many people grabbed life jackets and went to their muster stations.

Good show yesterday called It's a Swell Party or something like that. Music was good. Costumes and set were great.

Hot day today. About 86-88 degrees. Sunny and beautiful seas.

We're winding down.

For the person who asked about music. There are different venues in different parts of the ship. Movies under the stars tends to have all different concerts. Billy Joel and Genesis to name two. There's dancing music in the explores lounge as well as the wheelhouse bar. Caribbean music in the explores lounge and on deck. Dixieland Jazz in the Piazza. Sinatra music in club fusion.

We set the clocks ahead the very first night of the cruise.

We are in Aruba. Very calm seas yesterday. Think we were going very slow. Hubby feels better so we had breakfast in the Horizon and got off the ship around 0800. Getting off the ship was a breeze. My husband is platinum elite at Marriott so we canned it over. The taxi drivers didn't want to take us. Guess they were looking for longer fares. Took three tries. Cost $14 to the hotel.

The Cafe Caribe is not open for dinner on this ship. It does have a themed lunch everyday. Horizon has the same food as the dining rooms.

The Al Katz show was good last night. They had the big deck party at 2130 yesterday but we didn't make it.

Our formal nights are Monday and Thurs.

my husband isn't feeling well so this cruise is a bit different than usual. I had lunch in the Varibe Vafe today. Excellent Mexican buffet. Yesterday they had sushi. Dinner tonight was in the Horizon. They had an Italian buffet. Eggplant parmigiana was very good.

Had a brief shower tonight in Curasao. About to set off for Aruba.

We had a brief shower. Came up suddenly. Sunny again but very windy and we are rockin. First formal night. New show tonight called Destination Anywhere. Can't remember if we have seen this or not.

Our first sea day. Can't beat this. Fabulous sunrise. Calm seas light breeze.

Went to Vines again last night. Agree Franklin is great. The different tapas each night are very tasty recommend a visit California rolls are pretty good also.

Saw a good show tonight, Spotlight Showtime with a piano entertainer, Tom Franek. Before the show there was a duo (piano player and singed) called Cinnamoon playing dance music. Many couples dancing.

The music on the island today was island music by the Score.

Things are great. Fantastic cruise so far.

Princess knows how to do a BBQ. The chicken is great. There is something for everyone. Our day is gorgeous. The restrooms are kept clean. They have ice machines and water and iced tea. And of course bars for liquor. Many waiters and waitresses coming around. The clamshell is nice to get out of the sun. Gorgeous breeze.

Getting ready to disembark forPrincess Cay. It is 0845 and haven't heard the announcement yet. Will send the bands and music info when we return.

No worries with toilets or air conditioning so far. Weather is fabulous.

So far everything has been fine. It did take some time to get the luggage. Came around 5:00. The sail away was fun. Weather is great. We watched some football at movies under the stars. Saw the welcome aboard show time at the Princess Lounge. Comedian, Al Katz was pretty funny.

The band by the pool is the Score. They were also supposed to play at 8:45 for the welcome aboard dance party but it was cancelled.

No issues with the toilets. Room is not cold but not uncomfortable either.

More later.